PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Ready for the question about why they didn’t draft a quarterback, Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith said Friday night his focus was on drafting Kaleb Johnson in the third round. He went on to say how excited he is to have the running back and what he can bring the offense.
What it seemed like Johnson brings what the Steelers crave and it was Smith’s first adjective about him, ‘explosive’.
He had 21 runs of at least 20 yards and six runs of 40-plus yards and nine of Johnson’s touchdowns came on runs of 25 yards or more last year alone. That dwarfs the numbers of Najee Harris over his four seasons with the Steelers. But it wasn’t the only attribute for the Big 10 running back of the year.
“One of the more instinctive backs that I've watched in a couple of years coming out of the draft,” Smith said. “Perfect fit regardless of whatever run scheme you're running. He ran multiple (schemes) at Iowa. Really impressive as a volume runner as the game went on, and one of the more impressive stats you've seen in the fourth quarter -- what he averaged in the fourth quarter. I believe it
was over 5 yards per carry. Might have been closer to 6. We think he's a great culture fit.”
Smith believes Johnson will play well off Jaylen Warren along with Kenneth Gainwell now in a more crowded backfield that it was in early March.
Even though the Steelers first offensive pick was a running back, Smith doesn’t want fans to think the will be a run-first offense. He pointed out the addition of receiver DK Metcalf on the outside.
“We want to be an explosive offense,” Smith said. “The years I’ve had it where you have guys that can rip off explosive runs, that may open more things in the play pass or the keeper game or even the action screens.”
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Smith said this offense is building towards something exciting as they continue to add to the roster.
It goes back to the word the Steelers keep using about their offseason and on Friday about Kaleb Johnson, ‘explosive’. Smith believes they are getting to a point where they can attack opposing defenses with big plays.
Now if they can just settle in on a quarterback.